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Can I self drive in Italy?

Drive your own car to Italy, or hire a car from an airport or main city in Italy, and let the adventure begin! A self-drive holiday is very rewarding in the sense that you get to see so much whilst travelling, and you have the freedom to stop when you see something exciting.



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Getting around Italy by train is a great option. The Italian train system is pretty efficient and one of the least expensive in Europe. Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane runs trains under the brand name Trenitalia, operating a large network across the country.

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The best way to travel around Italy, if you mainly want to visit the cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, is by train. Italy has an extensive network of both fast speed inter-city trains and regional services that connect the smaller cities and towns.

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Yes! Tourists can rent cars and drive in Italy as long as they meet the minimum age requirements and have an international driving permit. Tourists also need a valid drivers license, a valid ID, a credit card, and insurance.

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Italians are known to be aggressive drivers compared to other places. They will quickly switch lanes, drive fast, and there are scooters zooming through all the cars. This can seem chaotic to someone who is not from Italy, but it is their way of driving. It is safe and legal, and Italians expect you to drive like them!

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While you can make local friends on trains or experience rural life on a road trip, there's no better way to see Italy than with the help of a local tour guide.

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What side of the road does Italy drive on? Italians drive on the right-hand side of the road. If you've never driven on the right before, or haven't done so for a while, take your time – but don't worry, your brain will soon switch over.

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You'll be able to travel along the stunning Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, where colorful villages cling to the cliffside. You should also spare a few days for the Italian Lakes, which offer some of Europe's most enchanting scenery. However, to experience Italy at its best, you'll need to factor in three or four weeks.

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Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for sightseeing in Italy: not only are all attractions open but you won't need to stand in long queues to enter (like in summer) and you'll have fewer crowds to contend with. Winter is also a good time if you're thinking about hitting museums and galleries.

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Independent travel can often be your cheapest travel option . You won't have to pay a fee to a company to organize travel for you; you can spend what you want on food, accommodation, and excursions; and you can opt for budget options or free activities if you're working with a small budget.

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Checklist for Driving in Italy
  1. Driver's license (required)
  2. IDP (recommended)
  3. Proof of liability insurance (required)
  4. ID/passport (required)
  5. Reflective safety vest (required to have in car)
  6. Reflective triangle (required to have in car)
  7. Spare tire (recommended)
  8. Fire extinguisher (recommended)


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One of the most common ways to pay for parking in Italy is to use the street parking meters to buy a ticket that you put on your car's dash – 'pay and display. ' Park your car. Note your license plate (Helpful Tip: Keep a photo or note on your phone if you're driving a rental car).

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With trains, ferries, water buses, taxis, drivers, mountain cable cars and funiculars, bikes, e-bikes and hiking paths, “you can really explore the corners of Italy for quite a ways before you need a car.”

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